S Y L V A BOOK in 



though it be far less, yet it is far richer ; the roots 

 of the vilest shrub being better for its toughness, and 

 for ornament, and delicate uses, much more prefer- 

 rable than the heart of the fairest and soundest tree : 

 And many hills, and other waste-places, that have in 

 late and former ages been stately groves and woods, 

 have yet this treasure remaining, and perchance sound 

 and unperish'd, and commonly (as we observ'd) an 

 hindrance to other plantations ; engines therefore, 

 and expedients for the more easily extracting these 

 cumbrances, and making riddance upon such oc- 

 casions, besides those we have produc'd, would be ex- 

 cogitated and enquired after, for the dispatch of this 

 difficult work. 



Thus from all these instances, we may gather the 

 necessity of a more than ordinary knowledge, requisite 

 in such whose profession obliges them that deal in 

 timber, to study the art well ; nor is it a small stock 

 of philosophy, to skill in the nature and property of 

 these materials, and which does not only concern 

 architects, but their subsidiary, carpenters, joyners, 

 especially wood-brokers, &c. I cannot therefore but 

 take notice, that among the ancient sportulae, be- 

 queath'd by several founders and foundresses, to in- 

 courage the gardiners, dies Solaris, and rosalis, (which 

 was about the time of the Floraria) there was among 

 the Romans a College or Hall, not unlike that of our 

 carpenters ; where, upon a certain day, the fraternity 

 not only met to feast, but doubtless to confer and 

 edify one another ; as appears by an ancient inscript- 

 ion of the Dendrophori at Puteoli, mentioned by the 

 learned * Dr. Spon, which for the honour of our 

 present discourse we subjoin. 



1 Dissert. 23. & Miscellan. Antiq. Sect. II. Art. XI. 



